Computer freezing or restarting when running security software

[killid]

Hi

 

I am having an ongoing problem with my computer freezing then having to be restarted. I am using XP Proffesional.

 

I have tried running various software to remove the problem, but every time I use them, the computer automatically restarts before the end of the scan. The software I have tried includes Avg, Super Antispyware, Avira Antivir PE, Malwarebytes, SmifraudFix, Ad Aware and ESET online scanner.

 

I did have Spybot installed but I removed it a few weeks ago. The ATF cleaner seems to work OK.

 

All advice will be most welcome.

 

Thanks

D

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hi Killid

 

Welcome to FPCH

 

This may be caused by the cpu overheating and therefore causing the board to trip out.

 

Take the side off and make sure the cpu heatsink and fan are not clogged with dust and debris in fact give the whole lot a good clean out using a can of compressed air.

[killid]

Hi Wolfeymole

 

Thanks for the quick response to my query. I will have a good cleanout at the weekend and let you know what happens.

 

Thanks

Killid

[Tootech]

Hi Killid,

 

Right click on My Computer, down to Properties. Then click the Adanced tab, down to Startup & Recovery Options, click on Settings. Look at the System Failure boxes, untick the Automatically Restart box.

 

Restart your PC.

 

Sometimes automatic restart on failure masks another fault.

 

See how it goes.

 

Tootech.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Killid,

I notice you mentioned AVG and Avira anti-virus, both are anti-virus programs and if both are running at the same time, this can cause conflicts that could result in freeze ups. I recommend uninstalling one of them, they are both good, so I will leave it to you to decide which one to get rid of.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Get shut of AVG.

[Seth]

Hi Killid,

I notice you mentioned AVG and Avira anti-virus, both are anti-virus programs and if both are running at the same time, this can cause conflicts that could result in freeze ups. I recommend uninstalling one of them, they are both good, so I will leave it to you to decide which one to get rid of.

 

Hi Nev.

 

I disagree that AVG is "good' in the sense that it is highly targeted. Avira is a much better choice for a free alternative (at this time).

[Plastic Nev]

I will go with your superior knowledge on AVG Seth, it used to be held in some regard, however I have seen elsewhere too many folk having some weird problems with it in the last year or so, which is why I didn't try it when I dumped Norton, and now use Avast. Time moves on, and some software gets either dated, or too top heavy at each update or new release, making it a poor performer in the end.

If Avast goes the same way, then I will go for Avira, providing that hasn't been superseded by then.

Any way back to topic, Killid, I hope you have now uninstalled the AVG, and have you seen seen any improvement?

[killid]

Hi Killid

 

Welcome to FPCH

 

This may be caused by the cpu overheating and therefore causing the board to trip out.

 

Take the side off and make sure the cpu heatsink and fan are not clogged with dust and debris in fact give the whole lot a good clean out using a can of compressed air.

Hi Wolfeymole,

 

You were spot on. Cleaned out all the inside including the fluffy cpu fan. All seems to running well now. Thanks for your help.

 

To all the rest of you who sent suggestions thanks for all your efforts. I will be removing the AVG software as suggested.

 

A great forum and PC resource. Keep up the good work.

 

David

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Consider what we recommend as Security products Killid.

 

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/malware-removal-av-firewalls-etc/3597-free-pc-help-recommended-security-products.html

 

You won't go far wrong mate.

[Seth]

I will go with your superior knowledge on AVG Seth, it used to be held in some regard, however I have seen elsewhere too many folk having some weird problems with it in the last year or so, which is why I didn't try it when I dumped Norton, and now use Avast. Time moves on, and some software gets either dated, or too top heavy at each update or new release, making it a poor performer in the end.

If Avast goes the same way, then I will go for Avira, providing that hasn't been superseded by then

 

Very good points Nev.

 

Avira and Avast aren't being targeted...for now.

[Dalo Harkin]

AVIRA and AVAST are very good free AV programs - but you have to remember that they are just AV - for all round protection you are far better off with a suite such as NOD32

[Plastic Nev]

Nod32 is of course the full suite but will cost you a few pence short of £40-00 per year or for 3 years will cost a little less than £84-00, however using all free software such as Comodo firewall, Avast antivirus, MBAM antimalware, SAS, and SpywareBlaster, although separate software rather than an all in one, I feel I have enough protection for free. I can of course donate any amount to the vendors in appreciation of their free ware.

For someone of limited means, even I don't get paid a tremendous amount, free ware is perhaps the way to go.

Another thing is that for a year or two I was being ripped off in a sense, by paying out to Symantec for their Norton Internet security. I now know better, it became extremely bloated, plus all the stuff it was doing in the background, was slowing things down a little too. All for so called security software that let in all sorts of basic rubbish, tracking cookies and the like, so I still needed things such as those mentioned above, to keep a clean ship.

 

Once bitten, twice shy.

Edited November 4, 2008 by Plastic Nev